title: Carboxypeptidase M: Multiple alliances and unknown partners.
abstract: Carboxypeptidase M (EC 3.4.17.12) belongs to the family of the carboxypeptidases. These enzymes remove C-terminal amino acids from peptides and proteins and exert roles in the physiological processes of blood coagulation/fibrinolysis, inflammation, food digestion and pro-hormone and neuropeptide processing. Among the carboxypeptidases CPM is of particular importance because of its constitutive expression in an active form at the surface of specialized cells and tissues in the human body. Despite the fact that the function(s) of this enzyme is not fully understood several suggestions have been made since its discovery more than two decades ago. Based on potential substrates and its presence, often on the boundary between the host and environment, a role in inflammation was proposed. This review describes how recent discoveries affected the insights in the cellular and physiological functions of CPM. A critical analysis of the potential endogenous peptide and protein substrates is provided. The distribution of CPM on different cell types and tissues and its expression in states of disease are discussed. There is evidence that CPM functions not only as a protease but also as a binding partner in cell-surface protein-protein interactions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deiteren
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hendriks
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scharpé
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lambeir
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; C058479:carboxypeptidase M; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases